Hot Air Fried Polenta Rounds Food

FRIED POLENTA

Steps:

• Cut one 18-ounce tube polenta into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the polenta in flour and fry in batches until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side (add more oil if necessary). Drain on a rack; sprinkle with salt and grated parmesan.

AIR FRYER POLENTA FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Slice polenta into long, thin slices resembling french fries.
• Spray the bottom of the basket with cooking spray. Place 1/2 of the polenta fries in the basket and lightly mist the tops with cooking spray. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer for 10 minutes. Flip the fries with a spatula and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer fries to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining half of fries.

FRIED POLENTA

Steps:

• Lightly oil an 11 by 7-inch baking dish. Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Cut the polenta into 2 by 1-inch pieces. Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the polenta pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer the polenta pieces to paper towels and drain. Place the polenta pieces on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while cooking the remaining batches.
• Transfer the polenta pieces to a serving platter. Sprinkle the polenta with the Parmesan cheese and salt. Serve, passing the marinara sauce alongside.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.

GRILLED POLENTA ROUNDS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, over high heat, bring the water to a boil.
• Add the salt and in a steady stream, add the cornmeal, stirring vigorously.
• Cook and stir for 10 minutes, until the polenta is smooth and leaves the side of the pan.
• Transfer the hot polenta into a clean empty orange juice cans.
• Let cool and then refrigerate until firm.
• Open the end of the cans with a can opener and shake polenta out or push it out.
• Cut into 1/2" slices.
• Grill or saute polenta rounds in olive oil or butter.

QUICK POLENTA ROUNDS WITH SAGE BUTTER AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Spray or spread cooking oil on the bottom and sides of a broiler-safe baking dish.
• Cut polenta in 1/4" thick disks. Place these disks on the bottom of the greased baking dish, overlapping them slightly so that there is no space in between disks.
• Sprinkle cheese evenly across the polenta.
• In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add olive oil. When the butter/oil mixture is fully heated, immediately add sage, stirring constantly. Cook for no more than 30 seconds.
• Add chopped garlic and sauté very briefly, until garlic starts to perfume the oil but has not yet browned. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from heat and drizzle over polenta.
• Broil for 3-5 minutes.

AIR FRYER SHRIMP AND POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Lay polenta rounds on a clean work surface. Brush both sides with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Combine shrimp and tomatoes in a bowl. Add remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and toss to coat. Use tongs to transfer tomatoes to the basket of the air fryer.
• Cook tomatoes in the preheated air fryer until blistered, about 2 minutes. Transfer tomatoes to a large bowl and smash with a wooden spoon.
• Place shrimp in the basket of the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Transfer shrimp to the bowl with the smashed tomatoes.
• Place polenta rounds in the basket of the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown, 15 minutes longer.
• While polenta rounds are cooking, combine butter, parsley, hot pepper sauce, and lemon-pepper seasoning in a bowl and mix until well combined.
• Divide polenta cakes between 2 serving plates. Spoon tomato-shrimp mixture over top and serve with seasoned butter.

CRISPY POLENTA MEDALLIONS

Steps:

• Cover a baking sheet with plastic or lightly oil a baking dish. Make polenta and when done, pour onto plastic or into lightly oiled baking dish. Spread to a thickness of about 1/3 inch using an offset spatula. If you are using a baking dish and can't spread the polenta that thin, you can always slice the rounds after they are cut to make thinner medallions. Cover with plastic and allow to stiffen completely, preferably in the refrigerator overnight.
• Cut the stiff polenta into 1 1/2 to 2-inch rounds with a cookie cutter. If the rounds are thick, cut crosswise into 1/3 inch thick rounds.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy nonstick or cast iron skillet. The polenta should sizzle as soon as you place the medallion in the oil. Cook the rounds in batches until nicely browned on each side, about 3 minutes per side. Turn them carefully with a spatula, and do not crowd the pan. Drain on paper towels. Transfer to a platter while warm and place a pinch - about 1/4 teaspoon - of blue cheese on each round. It should soften and melt a little bit on the hot surface of the polenta. Or top with small dollops of the other toppings of your choice. Serve warm (they are also good when they cool down).